News

Another SA star heads to Ireland

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 09:06

Roux made a long overdue Super Rugby debut against the Bulls earlier this month

Ireland have stolen another young, talented South African forward, with Western Province and Stormers lock Quinn Roux set to join the exodus to the Emerald Isle.

The powerful lock - a key member of the Vodacom Cup-winning WP side, but has made just one appearance for the Stormers - will join up with Irish side, Leinster, at the conclusion of the 2012 Super Rugby season.

Having heard a rumour about Roux's possible departure earlier this week, this website did attempt to contact Roux's management team who were unavailable for comment.

However, Roux's move was confirmed by Die Burger newspaper on Wednesday morning - just a week after Bulls starlet CJ Stander announced that he would be furthering his promising career at Munster, the 'other' Irish super-province.

Roux will link up with fellow South Africans, Richardt Strauss (who is set to qualify for Ireland on residency grounds) and Heinke van der Merwe in Dublin, whilst Irish superstars Cian Healy, Sean O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip, Brian O'Driscoll and Rob Kearney all play their rugby for the reigning Heineken Cup champions.

Roux, 21, originally hails from Pretoria - having been schooled at Affies - but has played all his junior rugby for Western Province, most of it alongside new Springbok sensation Eben Etzebeth.

He made his Currie Cup debut last year, before being a key member of the WP Vodacom Cup squad this year. He made a long overdue Super Rugby debut against the Bulls earlier this month, his second-half cameo off the bench being crucial in the final analysis as the Stormers claimed a valuable 19-14 win in Pretoria.

* WP and Stormers winger Danie Poolman, another member of the Vodacom Cup-winning team, is also set to further his career in Ireland, with Connacht reportedly chasing his signature.